VA warns against setting up of new village
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 12 2022: Tumnoupokpi Village Authority, Kangpokpi has warned the chief of Heinoupok Kuki village Tong minthang Kipgen against any attempt to establish new Kuki village within the jurisdiction of Tumnoupokpi village.

According to a statement of Tumnoupokpi VA signed by headman S Johnson, Tumnoupokpi is inhabited by Thangal community since time immemorial and the village pays tax under Manipur Hill House Tax Act, 1966.Some Kukis belong ing to Shan tribe (Myanmar Kuki) were allowed to settle temporarily under the jurisdiction of Turn noupokpi village sometimes back.

However, chief of the Kuki village namely Tongminthang Kipgen approved establishment of one more Kuki village within the jurisdiction of Tumnoupokpi village without informing the village authority.

Tongminthang has no authority to establish new Kuki village within the jurisdiction of Tumnoupokpi village and the matter had already been apprised to him twice and accepted the decision of the village authority.

However, Tongminthang fails to translate his commitment into action till date and this prompted the village authority to lodge a complaint to the chief minister on August 31, 2022, the statement said.

According to the statement, Kukis settling under the jurisdiction of Tumnoupokpi village are entitled to pay tax as per orders of the Manipur State Darbar president issued on January 22, 1927 and August 25, 1931 but not allowed to establish new village.

With the present state government steadfastly against establishment of new villages, Tongminthang's attempt to establish new village is against the government, the statement said and urged the government to take action against Tongminthang.

It also appealed to people to understand Tongminthang's high handed nature.

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